C.I.R.C.L.E Kitchen - Forster Reconditioned: How to low-carbon, local, fair, and closed loop
Project Idea Metadata
- Project Idea Name: C.I.R.C.L.E Kitchen - Forster Reconditioned: How to low-carbon, local, fair, and closed loop
- Date: 9/18/2024 7:10:33 AM
- Administrators:
Project Idea Description
What problem would you like to solve?
We want to solve the problem of waste. Waste of materials, embodied energy and carbon. Currently, we are demolishing perfectly functioning kitchens of high quality and overburdening our disposal sites. Forster metal kitchens have a life expectancy of 60+ years, far surpassing the 20-year expectancy of less recyclable chipboard kitchens with resin coating. However, they face multiple challenges: high-quality metal kitchens and durable materials mismatch with sustainability goals, are currently more costly, and re-using appliances encounters resistance due to hygiene concerns, lack of guaranteed functionality and mistrust. In any case, the restriction in availability and customizability hinders its re-use. Our Pilot aims to establish reclamation and remanufacturing processes and supply chains, setting new standards for extended producer responsibility. By streamlining the reuse and remanufacturing of Forster kitchen components and V-Zug appliances,we intend to make them as easily available as new kitchens.
How would you like to go about this ?
In coordination with Forster Swiss Home AG and V-Zug AG, leveraging their expertise and facilities, we aim to construct a prototype reconditioned kitchen. Utilizing used kitchen components introducing different quality standards and remanufactured industrially, we will elevate them to the standards of new products. Depending on the standard, damaged elements (hinges, mounts, locking mechanisms etc.) will be repaired or replaced with new materials to achieve a like-new condition.
Subsequently, Forster and V-Zug will develop warranty and service agreements to ensure compliance with current regulations, facilitating a swift entry into the current market but with a closed loop product.
Additionally, by analyzing potential customer segments and partners, we will identify market entry points and develop a tailored business strategy for second-life products.
Who will benefit from your solution and how?
1. Manufacturers & Industry Partners:
> How they benefit: Manufacturers like Forster Swiss Home AG and V-Zug AG will have an opportunity to expand their product portfolios by offering reconditioned, circular kitchens. This strengthens their sustainability credentials, helps them meet growing consumer demand for low-carbon solutions, and increases brand loyalty by addressing the growing second-life market.
> Impact: They gain control over the re-use market, establishing themselves as leaders in circular economy practices. This also helps them comply with new regulations regarding extended producer responsibility, improving competitiveness.
2. Customers (with Affinity for Sustainability and Affordability):
> How they benefit: Potential Customers like cooperatives, architects, and designers with a focus on sustainability will be able to access high-quality, reconditioned kitchen products, while lowering their carbon footprint. This appeals to individuals and organizations that prioritize both quality and environmental impact without sacrificing design or function.
> Impact: These customers benefit from reduced waste and emissions, cost savings, and aligning their lifestyle or projects with sustainability goals, all while maintaining high standards of quality and aesthetics.
3. Local Trades & Service Providers:
> How they benefit: The solution offers an avenue for tradespeople, repair specialists, and local suppliers to participate in the circular economy. Reconditioning kitchens creates demand for service-oriented jobs such as dismantling, refurbishment, installation, and repair, which drives local economic stability.
> Impact: This supports job creation in the transition to a circular economy, while fostering the development of specialized skills in kitchen remanufacturing and related services.
4. Society & Environmental Advocates:
> How they benefit: The initiative directly contributes to slowing down climate change by reducing material waste, conserving natural resources, and cutting CO2 emissions associated with the production of new kitchen components. This also promotes social equity by reducing the reliance on resource extraction from lower-income regions.
> Impact:The project creates tangible environmental benefits while also advancing social responsibility by offering a fair-trade, low-carbon product that contributes to both local economies and global sustainability efforts.
5. Innovation Ecosystem & Circular Economy Advocates:
> How they benefit: The project will set new benchmarks for circular economy practices within the kitchen manufacturing sector, serving as a demonstration model for extended producer responsibility. It offers strategies that other industries can adopt to promote reuse, and sustainable product design.
> Impact: This fosters innovation by challenging the traditional linear economy and encouraging the adoption of circular practices across industries, contributing to the global shift towards sustainable development.
Who are the existing persons/companies in your team and what is their role?
Studio Buser GmbH (Lead Organisation)
- Barbara Buser (Re-use Expert, Owner of Studio Buser AG): Advisor – Process, Business and Product Development
- Anna Buser (Re-use Entrepreneur, Owner of Studio Buser AG): Process, Business and Product Development
- Félix Dillmann (Architect & Urbanist): Process, Business and Product Development
Forster Home AG (Implementation Partner)
- Max Müller (Entrepreneur, Chairman of the Board of Directors): Core Team – Process and Business Development
- Rodolfo Gavalini (CSO): Advisor – Lead Kitchen Service Department
V-ZUG AG (Implementation Partner)
- Marcel Niederberger (Head of Sustainability): Core Team - Kitchen appliances
- Daniel Frost (CE Intrapreneur V-Zug Innovations Lab): Kreislauffabrik
FHNW (Research Partner)
- Dr. Pavlina Pavlova: (Research Associate): Circular Business Model and Strategy
LivingLAB, Ticino (Pilot project, show kitchen host, Ticino Partner)
- Ben Nott: Architect, Implementation partner, real world use-case “client” during Pilot development, before going to market and scale.
Advisor and independent collaborator
- George Foster: Product Designer - Creative solutions in reuse. Problem solving and material experimentation
- Leana Fischer: (reverse AG) - Digitalization and Data Processing
- ggf. Mischa Zschokke & Fabian Elsener: (Carbotech) - Environmental Sustainability Consulting and Carbon Accounting
How does your challenge have a positive impact on the planet (e.g., material reduction, CO2 emission reduction)?
By giving the components and Forster kitchens a second life, we save primary material resources and embodied CO2, while also reducing the strain on landfills. With that, we contribute to the conservation of natural resources and reduce social inequality of material sourcing in foreign countries.
Has your idea been tested before?
Baubüro in situ reused around 40 Forster kitchens over the last 20 years in new and renovated houses. But each project was a single case. The Forster service team and V-ZUG are already repairing a big part of their existing kitchens and products. The difference now is that we are planning a systematic approach together with the producers (Forster & V-Zug). Thus, we will be able to guarantee the highest quality and provide service contracts giving it credibility and value and to set the legal framework in the Circular Economy.
What are you planning on working on throughout the booster (e.g., developing the business model, building an initial prototype, material for prototyping, etc.)?
We will build up a show kitchen to demonstrate the remanufactured line
We will develop service contracts and the required legal frameworks
We will conduct interviews with potential customers and partners to test the willingness to pay and engagement.
We will sketch and test potential business and pricing models
We will design and conduct some minimum viable product test with customers
We will calculate the CO2 savings
> If successful, we will equip a cooperative with 17 kitchens, 100+ kitchens waiting in line.
What will you deliver at the end of the booster?
We will have a business plan and first trials of the Forster Reconditioned - Line installed. There will be a prototypical and systematic process line to find and save kitchens that are being discharged, and an official agreement with Forster and V-Zug that shows their commitment.
What are you expecting from the booster (e.g., looking for specific partners, expert support, etc.)?
- Connect with other experts and initiators for Circular Economy Models to strengthen a broad network and ecosystem for innovation.
- Receiving support in the development of a scalable business case.
- Finding specific partners for dismantling and reinstallation remanufactured kitchens in 3 regions of Switzerland.
- Contribute to open Innovation
- Showcasing success stories
- Finding implementation partners
How will you attract the 3rd party funding (10% of the total funding amount)?
The implementation and research partners will provide time and services in kind, as well as the implementation partners providing the 10% 3rd party funding amount through providing materials and technical support.
Forster - Reconditioned will be a scalable and systemic approach to circular kitchens, effectively providing a low-carbon, local, fair trade, and closed loop product. Our goal is to reclaim high-quality Forster metal kitchens, expertly recondition them, and reintroduce them to the market, extending the lifecycle of the materials and components.